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We know getting addiction treatment could be the difference between life and death for ourselves or a loved one struggling to overcome the tight grips of addiction.
What gets in the way of us gaining essential care like addiction treatment? What are the roadblocks along our journey to reaching care? How do we overcome our fears? How can we help Oregonians remove these roadblocks and get the help they need?
An employee may be afraid of the stigma associated with having an alcohol or drug addiction and going through addiction treatment. They may wonder: Will my coworkers think I’m irresponsible now or just think of me as an “addict”? Will my boss wonder if I’m able to handle my work responsibilities? How am I not going to drink? How do I save my relationships? What will it be like if I don’t drink?
There may be feelings of shame, guilt, and even embarrassment. Remember, you are not alone. Many employees before you had these same concerns as they worked through addiction treatment and returned to the workplace.
Read on to learn more about obstacles that can get in the way of getting care and the pathways Serenity Lane is creating for access to quality addiction care.
To take a deep dive into this topic, we spoke with Steve Harris, Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor II (CADC II) and Outreach Manager at Serenity Lane. Harris aids in hosting the Serenity Lane webinar series titled “Beyond the Brink,” where families, loved ones, coworkers, and individuals coping with substance use learn how to identify a substance use problem, how to talk to a loved one about their concerns, and how to encourage their loved one to seek help.
Harris suggests first asking some honest questions. For example: “Do I think about drinking or plan my drinking? Have I said to myself I should stop or find a way to control my drinking and then fail at the effort?” Or does the statement, “I can stop, I just can’t stay stopped” resonate? These are just a few examples of how someone with an alcohol addiction may begin to evaluate their need for treatment.
When considering addiction treatment, Steve Harris says barriers to getting care include, “Not knowing where to start or how to find help. … People get overwhelmed and don’t know who to trust. A simple step is to call your insurance company and ask: Who is in-network with my insurance for substance [use]?”
This practical first step of contacting our insurance company to get more information can be a game changer for us or our loved one when we feel overwhelmed and unsure where to start. You can also call Serenity Lane directly to verify your coverage.
According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in Oregon, about 18% of Oregonians ages 12 and older needed but did not receive treatment at a specialty facility for substance use in the past year. About 19% of Oregonian adults 18 and older needed but did not receive treatment at a specialty facility for substance use in the past year.
It is important to be aware that jobs are protected for medical issues through FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act).
Harris highlighted results from a 2013 survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to show that keeping employment is possible even while coping with a substance use disorder. Among adults in 2013, most binge and heavy alcohol users were employed. Among the 58.5 million adults who were binge drinkers, 44.5 million (76.1%) were employed either full or part time. Among the 16.2 million adults who were heavy drinkers, 12.4 million (76%) were employed.
Some of the potential benefits of seeking addiction treatment include identifying triggers or things that contribute to alcohol and drug use, gaining more knowledge on the cycle of addiction, learning and applying healthy coping strategies, gaining a stronger support network, and learning about local resources.
The greatest benefit of seeking addiction care is learning how to live without the use of alcohol and drugs, and ultimately this leads to living a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle. It means going from a sense of hopelessness to hopefulness.
The dangers of continuing to misuse alcohol or drugs include: having continued bodily damage and thus poorer overall health, continuing to be at risk for legal problems stemming from use, and having continued interpersonal or social issues that are a result of alcohol or drug use.
Distance from available care is an issue for many reasons. Inadequate transportation is a factor. Travel time may be too long. There may be no public transportation available in the area in which people live. The person seeking care may not have a vehicle or other ways to get to care.
Serenity Lane is addressing the issue of geographic barriers by providing 7 outpatient offices across the state of Oregon, as well as virtual addiction treatment. To learn more, visit Serenity Lane’s locations webpage.
Serenity Lane has a residential treatment center in Coburg, Oregon, that provides clinical assessments, mental health evaluation, support for co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders, and medically supported withdrawal (detox).
According to the research study “Trends in Racial/Ethnic Representation Among U.S. Medical Students,” from 2002 to 2017, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders remain underrepresented among medical school students compared with the U.S. population. This means patients of those racial and ethnic backgrounds are less likely to find providers that share their race.
You may be wondering why there is a racial disparity or imbalance in the U.S. healthcare system. How did this happen? According to “Understanding and Addressing Racial Disparities in Health Care,” black people continue to have higher rates of disease and mortality (death) than most white people across most measures of physical health.
There are many systemic reasons for the health inequity or imbalance that exists between the majority and minority races. In the United States, in comparison with white people, minorities face higher rates of unemployment and under-representation in good-paying jobs. These good-paying jobs often include health insurance as part of their benefits package.
Serenity Lane professionals pride themselves on working with individuals from all walks of life and are ready to provide quality, compassionate addiction services to you or your loved one today.
Harris notes, “The circle of those affected by another's substance use is wide and far. No one likes to be told they have a problem. A suggestion is to tell the [person misusing substances] the truth.”
Harris recommends family and friends of the person struggling use the following language to compassionately encourage their loved one to start addiction treatment:
“When you don’t come home and you are drinking, I feel scared and alone. I'm really concerned about your drinking and what could happen. My hope is you would be willing to get an assessment, and if there is a recommendation, that you include me and follow the recommendation. As hard as this is, I love you.”
Harris notes that Al-Anon Family Groups are a great resource for family and friends. He said resources like Al-Anon will not make the person with a substance misuse problem stop their substance use, but instead may be helpful for the loved ones.
Harris says the loved one seeking out knowledge on substance use is like using “oxygen masks in a plane” and noted the importance of getting “the air on yourself first.”
Reduce Stigma
Stigma is a set of negative and often unfair beliefs that a society or group of people have about something. Stigma can often be a roadblock keeping people away from getting the addiction treatment they are in dire need of.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers practical ways to reduce stigma and encourage people to move forward with addiction treatment:
An intervention is a planned activity initiated by loved ones of those struggling with substance use. The purpose of an intervention is to motivate a loved one to seek help for alcohol or drug misuse.
Harris states: “When an interventionist is called, they gather some information about the family, the potential patient, and circumstances, and will determine if they believe they can be helpful.
Next, and often it may take up to a couple of weeks, the interventionist will gather information, look at best possible placement for [the person misusing alcohol or drugs], and work to guide the family with what they are willing to say and do. Most of the time is spent with family, and then an hour or two with the patient at the intervention.”
In regards to the goals of an intervention, Harris says: “The goal is to break the silence and learn addiction is a family [disorder]. Addiction and mental illness are often [disorders] we pretend aren’t there. We think if only they did this or that, everything will be OK. Families are just like [the person misusing alcohol or drugs], they want relief now. Addiction is a chronic [disorder] that we learn tools to use to treat it. No one would say to the diabetic, ‘How long are you going to have to monitor your blood?’ But even early on in treatment, families sometimes say, ‘Aren’t you done with that yet?’ A successful intervention is the beginning of being willing to have a new way of thinking and living.”
Harris provided feedback on what indicates success during an intervention. “Seldom is an intervention not successful to someone in the family,” he said. “To most of us, it's only successful if the person goes on to treatment right then. Hopefully, that happens, and often it does work that way.
Sometimes, maybe a day, a week, or a month later, they accept they can’t control their use and become willing to go. I would call that a successful intervention.
Even if the person does not go or stop using, the family hopefully has learned they can’t control the other’s use. Again, hopefully, they come to terms with, ‘It's time to accept the things I cannot change, to find the courage to change the things [I] can, and the wisdom to know the difference.’”
Serenity Lane is proud to be a drug rehab center serving those in great need. We appreciate how time-sensitive it is for you or your loved one to gain access to quality, compassionate addiction care. We strive to reduce or remove the barriers that have stood in the way of you getting the care you deserve.
Serenity Lane is a private, not-for-profit treatment center that provides access to alcohol and drug addiction treatment to Oregon residents at various, convenient locations throughout the state.
Serenity Lane offers alcohol and drug treatment at both the inpatient/residential and outpatient levels to adults 18 and older. We offer treatment programming for various substances including, but not limited to: alcohol, heroin, cocaine, and meth.
Serenity Lane also provides medically supported detox and telehealth services. We admit people struggling with addiction. Same-day admissions are possible, and most insurance plans are accepted.
You are worthy of quality addiction treatment. Let us help you begin the road toward recovery. The road may have some bumps along the way, but recovery is possible and sustainable. There is always, always hope.
Call Serenity Lane toll-free today at 800-543-9905 to begin your addiction treatment journey with us.
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